Child Choosing to Live With Abusive Parent?

Question by penguin hippo: Child choosing to live with abusive parent?
If one parent has custody of the child, and the child “runs away” to the other parent (who is alcoholic, has been physically, emotionally and sexually abusive towards both partner and children), how old does the child have to be to make the decision to stay there?

Legally, should the parent with custody be allowed to remove the child at any time?
Sorry – I am :
A) In the UK
B) My father has an extensive criminal record with all the history of his abusive behaviour on file.
Barney2009 – Whilst I appreciate your response I’d also appreciate it if you didn’t judge my family situation. My father is mentally ill, and is a serial gas-lighter. He has been long time engaging in what’s known as Parent Alienation Syndrome, and has actually convinced my brother that none of the abuse that he made us endure ever happened. If you have never been abused in this way, I don’t think you should contribute so insensitively as it is tearing my family apart.

Best answer:

Answer by prplfae
I believe its 12 years old before the child has a say in who they want to live with, but it still needs to go through the courts.

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